The omens are good, and not just because his new men have received a more generous draw than in past years – the Chilean has pedigree, having guided Villarreal to the 2006 semi-finals and Malaga to the quarters only last year. Fernandinho adds crucial Champions League nous to the City midfield, while Alvaro Negredo looks like adding the cutting edge so lacking in last season’s dismal European effort.

Czech champs Viktoria Plzen return for a second crack at the Champions League and should prove the whipping boys, but 2010 quarter-finalists CSKA Moscow completed a double in Russia last season – with Sweden’s mighty Rasmus Elm and playmaker Alan Dzagoev at the heart of their midfield, this is the side that could most threaten City’s progression.

That’s because the final team in Group D is Bayern Munich. The Germans deservedly won a fifth Big Ears last season, and have strengthened since the arrival of Pep Guardiola. Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara have come in for a combined €62m, with Mario Gomez the only notable departee. Evolution rather than revolution, then – and that spells danger for the rest of Europe.

The obvious selection, but the 21-year-old attacking midfielder was the defending champions’ €37m flagship signing this summer. He starred in Dortmund’s run to the final last season (conveniently missing the Wembley showpiece against the club for whom he had already signed), and can light up the tournament again this year.